My Story

Tunajá is a very primitive area of the state of Quiché, Guatemala.  The inhabitants are Quiché Indians who trace their ancestral roots to the ancient Mayan civilization.  The prevalent language is the Indian dialect - Quiché.  The people are either farmers or shepherds and live off the fruits of their laborers. Very little money ever changes hands as they use a barter system.  Public education is available - however, most families cannot afford it.  Electricity and running water are not available in most of the area.  Life in Tunajá is extremely difficult.

Hello, I feel grateful to have this opportunity to greet you for the first time. Let me tell you a little about my family and me. I am Yosalina Coj Hernandez. I was born on July 8, 2019. I am a healthy 6-year-old girl. God willing, my parents will enroll me at school next year. My favorite food is fried chicken. I love going out and riding my bicycle. I like dogs, and my favorite color is red. I have two brothers who are registered in the feeding program too. We attend together and usually walk for 30 minutes to get there. I live with my parents. They are Domingo Coj de la Cruz and Tomasa Hernandez Morente. My father grows corn and beans, one part for selling and the other for our consumption. That is the way he supports us. My mother only dedicates her time to the house and to looking after us. Thank God, my parents are healthy. We attend the Catholic Church. We have many necessities, but the main things are food, clothes and shoes.

My father owns the house where we live. It is a humble one made of adobe, tile and tin sheet roof and cemented floor. There is an electricity service that my father pays for every month. Our running water is from our artisanal well. The only domestic animals we have are chickens. Well, this is all for now. I hope you have a nice day. I send you my love and best wishes.

Many blessings,

Yosalina Coj Hernandez

Translated by: Mireya de Sandoval, AAC Secretary / Antigua